Jasmine

Jasminum Officiale

History

The name Jasmine is derived from the Persian word “yasmin” which means “fragrant flower.” Jasmine is a popular garden plant from the olive family that has a distinct and powerful aroma and a white, star-shaped flower. It has been loved and beloved for thousands of years for its perfume and its beauty. 

Many varieties of Jasmine are climbers and the shrubs can reach a height of more than 15 feet. Jasmine shrubs can be trained to form graceful bowers and to decorate arbors and trellises in the most formal of gardens. But having originated in the rugged Himalayas, Jasmine can be found in the wild, running amok in forests, along rivers, and pretty much anywhere that has favorable climate and soil.

Jasmine essential oil is derived from fresh flowers and buds, while the dried blooms are used for anything from herbal teas to potpourri. To extract the essential oil, the flowers need to first be harvested when they are the most fragrant and they have just opened. The only problem is that Jasmine releases its fragrance only after the heat of the day is over and the sun has set. Additionally, it is also supposed by many that the fragrance is strongest when the moon reaches its full moon stage. 

When the time is right, experienced flower pickers harvest thousands upon thousands of blooms, working with speed and care to preserve the delicious scent. Each fresh blossom must be carefully harvested by hand and placed in a special basket so as not to bruise the flower. In all, it takes 7.5 million flowers to produce 1 kg of essential oil, yet an experienced picker can harvest just over 10,000 blossoms in one night. 

Jasmine is one of the most expensive essential oils you can get. That is why the most expensive perfumes in the world are those that have the most essential oil. For example, more than 1,000 jasmine blossoms are required to produce an ounce of Channel No. 5 and that will set you back $260 for 1 ounce. 

Jasmine: The King of the Oils

 Jasmine has a powerful and sweet aroma which is much used and beloved by perfume makers. Its essential oil is also very beneficial. It is believed to be an aphrodisiac  It also relieves stress, and helps with depression and anxiety.

USE: Skin Care | Perfume

Jasmine Absolute: The product of extraction by enfleurage, a chemical process that involves solvents and multiple complex procedures. Jasmine is too delicate to be steam-distilled, so solvent extraction is used to create a thick orange-brown absolute that is very aromatic. This is usually preferred for perfumery.

Jasmine Essential Oil: Most essential oils are extracted from plants via steam distillation, a procedure that requires very high temperatures. However, because Jasmine is too delicate and can’t handle such high temperatures, a procedure called hydrodistillation is used to extract the essential oil. This procedure, however is not very cost effective and usually is best carried out in small batches. Jasmine, therefore, is a very pricey essential oil. However, this process does not use any solvents at all, and aromatherapists prefer to use the essential oil rather than the absolute in topical applications.

TIP: Jasmine is often prediluted at 3-5% in jojoba or other oil in order to be more accessible. However, Substituting ylang ylang will give almost the same effect in recipes and blends.

Blends Well With

Jasmine’s exotic and relaxing scent goes especially well with citrus oils and rose. The following oils also go very well with Jasmine

  • Geranium
  • Rose
  • Lavender
  • Orange
  • Tangerine
  • Lemon
  • Lime
  • Grapefruit
  • Clary Sage
  • Sandalwood
  • Frankincense
  • Neroli
  • Cypress

Key Benefits

  • Soothes skin conditions
  • Improves skin elasticity
  • Fights wrinkles and reverses signs of aging
  • Healthy hair
  • Balances hormones
  • Strengthens and tones uterus, especially after childbirth
  • Eases menstrual cramps
  • Relieves PMS and menopause symptoms
  • Uplifting & increases alertness
  • Relieves anxiety symptoms
  • Helps with depression
  • Promotes restful sleep
  • Aphrodisiac

Safety

Jasmine Absolute may have some trace solvents, for therapeutic purposes use essential oil instead. NEVER ingest absolutes!

Avoid long-term use. Doing so may cause headaches, nausiea, or skin sensitization.

Jasmine essential oil is an emmenagogue (stimulates blood flow in the pelvic area). Avoid using it if pregnant or breastfeeding. It is also not safe to use on children younger than 3.

Topical Application

Flowers n Such Facial Serum

1% dilution for face & neck:

  • 3 drops Geranium
  • 2 drops Jasmine
  • 2 drops Lavender
  • 1 drops Roman Chamomile
  • 1 drops Rosemary
  • 2 tbsp (30 mL) carrier oil

Mix ingredient and store in a dark colored, glass bottle. Massage a small amount of blend into your face, wipe off excess with a tissue and leave on overnight.

Cheer up and Chill Massage Oil

2% dilution blend for body:

  • 6 drops Jasmine
  • 6 drops Melissa OR Bergamot
  • 6 drops Lemon
  • 2 tbsp (30 mL) carrier oil

Massage into upper chest, back of the neck, and shoulders.

Massage oil for Body

2% dilution blend for body. Use for Cramps, PMS, anxiety, etc.:

  • 6 drops Jasmine
  • 2 tsp (10 mL) carrier oil

Massage on your lower stomach in a clockwise direction for menstrual cramps. For anxiety, restlessness, and depression, apply to temples, wrists, or at the the back of neck.

 

Diffusion-Blend-2

Diffusing Blends

Sweetheart

  • 3 drops Jasmine
  • 3 drops Lavender
  • 2 drops Geranium
  • 1 drop Virginian Cedarwood

Evening Enchantment
(aka Queen of Sheba)

  • 6 drops Jasmine
  • 3 drops Rose
  • 3 drops Sandalwood
  • 2 drops Vanilla

Getting Fresh

  • 5 drops Jasmine
  • 5 drops Lemon
  • 5 drops Lime

Perfume

Mature

3% dilution rate. Decrease dilution rate for sensitive or elderly skin

In a 30 mL glass container, add the following number of drops of essential oils

  • 9 drops Jasmine Absolute
  • 9 drops Vanilla
  • 9 drops Ylang Ylang *

Fill the rest of the bottle with your carrier of choice. (I prefer sweet almond). Pour into roll-on bottles and apply to wrists and neck.

*Note: some people find Ylang Ylang too strong. Add in single drop increments to suit your taste.

 

My Favorite

In a 30 mL glass container, add the following number of drops of essential oils

  • 14 drops Jasmine Absolute
  • 9 drops Lavender
  • 4 drops Vanilla

Fill the rest of the bottle with your carrier of choice. (I prefer sweet almond). Pour into roll-on bottles and apply to wrists and neck.

Working With Jasmine Absolute

Jasmine absolute is best used in diffusion blends and in perfumes. I would avoid it in my face, and use it sparingly in massage oils as it may contain residual solvents from its chemical extraction. Jasmine absolute, however, is without a doubt the one to use in perfume making, and even though you will apply it topically, I think it is OK since you will apply it only to small areas.

The thing about Jasmine absolute is that it is very thick. If you have trouble pouring out drops, then place your opened bottle in a shallow bowl of warm water for 15 to 20 minutes, replacing the water as needed until the absolute has liquified enough for you to use. 

Once you use it in your roll on perfume, you will notice that the smell is incredibly powerful. A little goes a long way!

Spa Night – Treat Yourself!

Jasmine Facial Toner

  • 2-3 drops of jasmine essential oil
  • 1 teaspoon glycerine
  • 2 teaspoons of witch hazel

Combine ingredients in a bottle. Shake vigorously for several seconds before each use. Using a cleansing pad or cotton round, apply to your face after cleaning. Follow up with moisturizer.

Use within a few days, keep in refrigerator for extended shelf life.

Featured in Episode 2

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